The Skeletal System
Parts of the skeletal system
1. Bones (skeleton)
2. Joints
3. Cartilages
4. Ligaments
The skeletal system Divided into two divisions
1. Axial skeleton
2. Appendicular skeleton
Functions of Bones
1. Support of the body
2. Protection of soft organs
3. Movement due to attached skeletal muscles
4. Storage of minerals and fats
5. Blood cell formation
Bones of the Human Body
The skeleton has 206 bones
Two basic types of bone tissue
1. Compact bone
Homogeneous
2. Spongy bone
Small needle-like pieces of bone
Many open spaces
Classification of Bones
1. Long bones
Typically longer than wide
Have a shaft with heads at both ends
Contain mostly compact bone
Examples: Femur, humerus
2. Short bones
Generally cube-shape
Contain mostly spongy bone
Examples: Carpals, tarsals
3. Flat bones
Thin and flattened
Usually curved
Thin layers of compact bone around of spongy bone
Examples: Skul, ribs, sternum
4. Irregular bones
Irregular shape
Do not fit into other bone classification categories
Example: Vertebrae and hip
Changes in the Human Skeleton
In embryos, the skeleton is primarily hyaline cartilage
During development, much of this cartilage is replaced by bone
Cartilage remains in isolated areas
1. Bridge of the nose
2. Parts of ribs
3. Joints
Bone Growth
Bones are remodeled and lengthened until growth stops
Bones change shape somewhat
Bones grow in width
Bone Fractures
A break in a bone
Types of bone fractures
1. Closed (simple) fracture - break that does not penetrate the skin
2. Open (compound) fracture – broken bone penetrates through the skin
Bone fractures are treated by reduction and immobilization
Realignment of the bone
Common Types of Fractures
Repair of Bone Fractures
Hematoma (blood-filled swelling) is formed
Break is splinted by fibrocartilage to form a callus
Fibrocartilage callus is replaced by a bony callus
Bony callus is remodeled to form a permanent patch
Stages in the Healing of a Bone Fracture
The Axial Skeleton
Forms the longitudinal part of the body
Divided into three parts
1. Skull
2. Vertebral column
3. Bony thorax
The Skull
Two sets of bones
1. Cranium
2. Facial bones
Bones are joined by sutures
Only the mandible is attached by a freely movable joint
Paranasal Sinuses
Hollow portions of bones surrounding the nasal cavity
Functions of paranasal sinuses
1. Lighten the skull
2. Give resonance and amplification to voice
The Hyoid Bone
The only bone that does not articulate with another bone
Serves as a moveable base for the tongue
The Fetal Skull
The fetal skull is large compared to the infants total body length
Fontanelles - fibrous membranes connecting the cranial bones
Allow the brain to grow
Convert to bone within 24 months after birth
The Vertebral Column
Vertebral separated by intervertebral discs
The spine has a normal curvature
Each vertebrae is given a name according to its location
The Bony Thorax
Forms a cage to protect major organs
Made-up of three parts
1. Sternum
2. Ribs
3. Thoracic vertebrae
The Appendicular Skeleton
1. Limbs (appendages)
2. Pectoral girdle
3. Pelvic girdle
The Pectoral (Shoulder) Girdle
Composed of two bones
1. Clavicle - collarbone
2. Scapula - shoulder blade
These bones allow the upper limb to have
exceptionally free movement
Bones of the Upper Limb
The arm is formed by a single bone The forearm has two bones The hand
1. Humerus 1. Ulna 1. Carpals - wrist
2. Radius 2. Metacarpals - palm
3. Phalanges - fingers
Gender Differences of the Pelvis
Bones of the Pelvic Girdle
Hip bones
Composed of three pair of fused bones
1. llium
2. Ischium
3. Pubic bone
The total weight of the upper body rests on the pelvis
Protects several organs
1. Reproductive organs
2. Urinary bladder
3. Part of the large intestine
Bones of the Lower Limbs
The thigh has one bone The leg has two bones The foot
Femur - thigh bone Tibia Tarsus - ankle
Fibula Metatarsals - sole
Phalanges - toes
Arches of the Foot
Bones of the foot are arranged to form three strong arches
Two longitudinal
One transverse
Joints
Articulations of bones Functions of joints Ways joints are classified
1. Hold bones together 1. Functionally
2. Allow for mobility 2. Structurally
Structural Classification of Joints
1. Fibrous joints 2. Cartilaginous joints 3. Synovial joints
Generally immovable Immovable or slightly Freely moveable
moveable
Fibrous Joints
Bones united by fibrous tissue
Examples
1. Sutures
2. Syndesmoses
Allows more movement than sutures
Example : distal end of tibia and fibula
Cartilaginous Joints
Bones connected by cartilage
Examples
1. Pubic symphysis
2. Intervertebral joints
Synovial Joints
Articulating bones are separated by a joint cavity
Synovial fluid is found in the joint cavity
Features of Synovial Joints
Articular cartilage (hyaline cartilage) covers the ends of bones
Joint surfaces are enclosed by a fibrous articular capsule
Have a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid
Ligaments reinforce the joint
Structures Associated with the Synovial Joint
Bursae - flattened fibrous sacs
Lined with synovial membranes
Filed with synovial fluid
Not actually part of the joint
Tendon sheath
Elongated bursa that wraps around a tendon
Types of Synovial Joints Based on Shape
Developmental Aspects of the Skeletal System
At birth, the skull bones are incomplete
Bones are joined by fibrous membranes - fontanelles
Fontanelles are completely replaced with bone within two years after birth
